Clemson firmly No. 2 in College Football Playoff standings

There is a scenario where Clemson could leapfrog the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff rankings, even if both teams stay undefeated.
Manie Robinson and Scott Keepfer, The Greenville News

Clemson secured the No. 2 spot in the College Football Playoff standings for a third consecutive week, the selection committee revealed Tuesday night.

There was little movement near the top. Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Michigan retained the Top 4 spots. Among the one-loss Power Five conference teams, which also includes Georgia, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Washington State and Ohio State, Michigan's loss to Notre Dame in the season opener is the most forgivable.

Behind Michigan, No. 5 Georgia has the best opportunity to play its way into the Top 4. It will face Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 1. If the Bulldogs dethrone the Crimson Tide, they will be rewarded with an invitation to the bracket.

Chaos would ensue though, especially if Clemson, Notre Dame and Michigan win the remainder of their games. That would give Michigan a win against Ohio State, which would strengthen Michigan's bid for a Playoff spot. But that still may not be enough to elevate Michigan over a one-loss Alabama.

Clemson and Notre Dame do not need to worry about the clutter. They will avoid it either way. If they remain undefeated, their spots will remain secure. Yet, if they lose any of their remaining games, they would plummet to the bottom of the one-loss teams and essentially out of contention.

Beyond its win against Michigan, Notre Dame's most impressive victory is against Pittsburgh, which did not crack the Top 25 after its third consecutive victory. Pitt can seal the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division championship with a victory at Wake Forest on Saturday.

Notre Dame will face No. 12 Syracuse this week. Syracuse also represents Clemson's best victory. The Orange climbed one spot after hammering Louisville last week.

North Carolina State was ranked No. 14 last week. Its loss at Wake Forest on Thursday dropped it out of the Top 25. Thus, No. 20 Boston College is the only other Clemson opponent ranked in the Top 25.

But the zero in Clemson's loss column outweighs any subjective rankings. The Tigers will face Duke, South Carolina and presumably Pittsburgh in the ACC Championship Game. They are positioned to play their way beyond debate.